IIT (BHU) Varanasi was selected to conduct MHRD’s flagship Leadership for Academcians Program (LEAP), 2018-19 under the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) Scheme. The first edition of LEAP was successfully conducted from February 25 – March 09, 2019 at IIT (BHU), Varanasi and from March 10 - March 15, 2019 at Penn State University, Pennsylvania. 

At IIT (BHU), Varanasi more than 15 eminent resource persons were invited to conduct the sessions and similarly several eminent faculty members from Penn State University facilitated the sessions in USA. The program delivery and implementation included a mix of lectures, discussions, hands on activities, individual and team work, project work, assignments, quizzes, panel and group discussions, case studies, technology enhanced learning, presentations, report writing, campus visits, industry visit, social gatherings and plenty of opportunities for networking and collaboration. Curriculum topics on academic leadership, governmental and institutional policies, strategic planning, institutional accountability, intercultural communication, performance and financial management, etc. were covered with emphasis on holistic leadership development.